Zechariah 4:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The angel, surprised by the prophet's lack of understanding, inquired if he truly did not grasp the significance of the vision. When the prophet openly admitted his confusion and showed no shame in his struggle to understand, the angel finally elucidated the mystery of the vision, saying, "This, says the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, 'Not in great power, nor in strength, but in my Spirit, saith the Lord Almighty.'" This indicates that the matters depicted in the vision will ultimately come to fruition, achieved not through human might or physical prowess, but by the Holy Spirit’s power and divine guidance.

Although the Only Begotten took on human form like ours, He did not engage in earthly warfare to establish His Church akin to a lampstand. Instead, He drew two nations to Himself, or kindled spiritual lights upon the candlestick. By the Holy Spirit, He instituted first the apostles in the churches, followed by prophets, evangelists, and all other assemblies of the saints, endowing them with divine gifts and richly pouring out the Spirit upon them. Thus, Christ triumphed over Satan, "not in great power, nor in strength" of the flesh, but through the Spirit’s might. With Satan, the legions of opposing powers were defeated, and the descendants of Israel, who once worshipped creatures rather than the Creator, were called to know God through faith.

In the churches, the saints emerged as shining lights alongside Christ, who, as the Apostle Paul noted, are "like lights in the world, holding fast the word of the living creatures" (Philippians 2:15-16). Furthermore, Immanuel’s salvation of the world was not by human strength but by His divine power, as prophesied by Hosea: "But I will have mercy on the children of Judah, and will save them in the Lord their God: and I will not save them with bow, nor with sword, nor with armor" (Hosea 1:7). This prophecy specifically applied to Zerubbabel, a member of the tribe of Judah who held the royal seat in Jerusalem at that time. To ensure that he would not associate such magnificent prophesies with the notion of waging wars, God redirected him away from such human vanity and emphasized that it would be divine power, rather than human means, that would bring these promises to pass through Christ. Zerubbabel himself, a descendant of Judah and a king, symbolized Christ, and his partnership with Joshua, son of Josedech, illustrated that Immanuel was both king and high priest.

Before Zerubbabel, you will become a plain, and he shall bring forth the capstone, which embodies grace."

The angel that awakened Zechariah posed a question regarding his vision, aiming to highlight, through the prophet's inquiries amid his confusion, the understanding presented via his questioning, “What is this, my lord?” This illustrates the divine message directed at Zerubbabel: Not through human strength or military force, but through the Spirit of God. It’s essential that we comprehend what the Hebrews, from whom we acquired the Old Testament, perceive regarding this. Step by step, we transition to a deeper understanding of the Church. The golden lampstand is understood to represent the Law, while the lamp—the flame illuminating the top—symbolizes Christ, who is the apex of the Law, lighting the world. The seven lamps symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, affirming that the Law was inspired by the Holy Spirit. The seven trumpets signify the gifts of grace flowing from heaven to humanity, while the olive trees on either side of the lampstand represent the Law and the Prophets.

As the prophet recounts his vision, he, not knowing its meaning, asks for clarity from the angel, whose illumination comes from God. This angel serves as our guide, conveying divine intent. When asked about the vision, the angel does not clarify but instead states, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit." The explanation of the vision thus confirms that deliverance from captivity and victory over foes is solely by the Spirit of God. The subsequent line, “What are you, O great mountain?” refers to the adversary that opposed Jesus, previously standing against Zerubbabel and Judah, yet is rendered humble before the nation of Israel, for God will introduce the cornerstone, Jesus Christ, who continually aids the people. His grace, evident among those liberated from captivity, mirrors the grace shown to their forefathers.

In the interpretations derived from the Church, the golden candlestick is viewed as the Church itself, offering deeper implications than words can convey. The golden essence mirrors the divine brilliance described in Psalm 67:14, reflecting Christ shining within the Church—who, as stated in Matthew 5:15, does not conceal His light but places it where all can see. The seven lampstands and their conduits signify the Holy Spirit's gifts, granting the Church divine mercy and virtues. The two olives symbolize Moses and Elijah, who revealed Christ's impending suffering in Jerusalem, confirming that every law and prophet foretells the sufferings of Christ.

Additional interpretations align the two olives with the Law and the Gospel, indicating their distinct yet unified roles, as illustrated in the Song of Songs 2:6. The mountain is often understood as a symbol of the devil and Antichrist who opposed Zerubbabel and sought supremacy, as referenced in Matthew 4:9. God, subduing him, commands, "Depart from me, Satan," affirming sole worship of the Lord. The Gospel recounts an instance of a possessed boy, where the Lord states that prayer and fasting are essential for casting out such entities, epitomizing how the adversary is represented metaphorically as a mountain. Some misguided interpretations erroneously attribute attributes meant for the devil to Christ, though numerous biblical references clarify this misunderstanding.

The Lord promises to raise the cornerstone, as detailed in the prologue of John, emphasizing that all things were made through the Word. The phrase “grace with His grace” indicates the fullness of spiritual gifts accessible to both Jewish believers and Gentiles. Indeed, Gabriel's declaration to Mary about finding grace with God highlights this theme. Paul teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, and John illustrates the transition from Law, given through Moses, to grace and truth, which come through Christ.